Method and apparatus for wrapping articles



July 9, 1946. w. s. cLoUD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES l5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 2, 1941 INVENTOR. l/Zaz 5. Cloud BY a@ Us@ ATTORNEY.

July 9, 194e. ws," LOUD 2,403,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES ATTORNEY.

July 9, 1946.

w. s. cLouD 2,403,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 15 sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR W 5.6mm

ATTORNEY.

lJuly 9 1946- w. s. CLOUD 2,403,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES ATTORNEY July 9, W s CLOUD v METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 l5 SheetS-Shet 5 INVENTOR.

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 15 sheetsfsneet 6 t/Qg 5 f we IN VENTOR.

` Wam/:250mm July 9, 1946. w. s. CLOUD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, .1941 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 95 l LQ 7 f /4/ /42 Q5 /az/ f5@ Y//z 3 5| l 5 y July 9, 1946.

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2. 1941 15 shets-sheet 8 'INVENTOR @VMM/5.620% 61,11 di. 65%

ATTORNEY.

July 9, 1946. w. s. CLOUD 2,403,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 yl5 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATTORNEY July 9, 1946. W s CLOUD 2,403,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 l5 Sheel',S-Sheefl l0 INVENT OR.

U21/Manz 5. Zaad 4 if 'L ,BY /7/ /70 yung/K qbTTORNEY July 9, 1946.

W. S. CLOUD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 15 sheetssneet 11 INVENTOR.

July 9, 1946.

w. s. cLoUD METHOD AND APPIARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES 15 shets-sneet 12 Filed July 2, 1941 INVENTOR.

Cloud AT1-ORNE YL! July 9, 1946. W s CLQUD 2,403,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 15 sheets-sheet 1:5

IN VENTOR.

BY j# x1-S9? July 9, 1946. W s CLOUD l l2,403,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed July 2, 1941 15 Sil-eetsfSheet '14 m I b m N h w @B Mm INVENTOR. .Q1/Mdm? 5. Zaad 64%" July 9, 1946. w. s. CLOUD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Fi1 ed July 2, 1941 15 Sheets-SheefI 15 Patented July 9, 1946 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFlcE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES William S. Cloud, Wilmette, Ill.

Application July 2, 1941, Serial No. 400,854

17 Claims. l

tions, slow speed, high cost, or unattractive packages.

I prefer to use a material which is stretchable, thermoplastic and scalable. These requirements are met by a rubber hydrochloride material now sold commercially under the name Pliolm. Other material, such as sheet rubber, may be used but with less satisfactory results.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide methods and the means for drawing a web of sheet Pliolm from a roll of the same, heating predetermined portions of the lm sulciently to cause it to become plastic, stretching predetermined portions of the lm into pocket-like recesses, placing the articles in said pockets, holding the lm tightly against the articles while simultaneously twisting both the articles and the lm whereby the articles are completely enclosed by said lm.

Another object of my invention is to form pocket-like recesses or extensions in material such as sheet Pliolm by suspending the sheet material over a series of openings and forcing tube-like means against the suspended sheet.

Another object is to provide fast, economical, and ecient means for wrapping articles which vary greatly in size and shape without requiring adjustment of the machine. For example, I have found that my method and apparatus can be used to wrap such articles as oranges, lemons, eggs, pieces of candy, ball bearings, light bulbs, nuts and bolts, coffee, sugar, flavored powder such as is used in making soft drinks anda great variety of other articles which it is not deemed essential to list in detail at this time. It should be noted however that I also have used my invention to package predetermined quantities of liquids.

Another object of my invention is to provide a method of wrapping articles in such a manner as to reduce to a very minimum the amount or 2 length of seam in the nished package. This, in turn, reduces the number of `points of possible leakage for moisture and air, 'which is particularly advantageous in packaging articles of food. The extent of air tightness will depend upon the weight of the lm and the amount of twisting.

A still further object is to Wrap articleswith a minimum amount of material and with very little wasted scrap. The use of a thermoplastic, stretchable material, such as Pliolm,'makes the attainment of this object possible. For example, in wrapping a spherical object such as an orange, with non-stretchable material the area of the wrapper must be 31/7 times the surface area ofy the orange. The excess wrapping material in such case is consumed in the form of Wrinkles and folds. This is not true where my invention f is practiced. According to my method the Wrapping material used is uniformly distributed over the surface `of the article, wrinkles and folds are substantially eliminated, and the thickness of the wrapping material is substantially the same ,n

over the entire area of the article.

A still further object is to provide a multiple wrapping apparatus which requires use of less material per article to be wrapped than is possible Where the articles are wrapped individually.

An additional object is to provide a method and apparatus for wrapping in Whole or in part articles which have protruding therefrom a stick or handle. used in wrapping candy suckers having such protrusions. In such case both the article and the handle may be enclosed in the Wrapper or the handle portion may be left outside the completed package.

Other objects and advantages Will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention se- Figure 6' is an end elevation of the complete machine shown from the feed end.

Figure 'l is a plan view of the entire machine.

For example, my invention may be Figure 8 is a detail section on line 8 8 of Figure Figure 9 is a detail section taken on line 9 9 of Figure 11 and shows the cam means for moving the vacuum mechanism into operating position.

Figure 10 is a plan section taken' on line Ill- IIJ of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a plan section taken on line I I--I I of Figure 2.

Figure 12 is a vertical section taken on line |2|2 of Figure 5.

Figure 13 is a view similar to that of Figure 12, shown in changed position.

Figure 14 is a view similar also to that of Figure 12, shown in a still further changed position.

Figures 15 to 2l are diagrammatic views illustrating the various changed positions in the operation of wrapping a candy sucker having a projecting handle or stick.

Figure 22 is a modified form of my apparatus showing the heating unit as a cylindrical drum.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary plan view of the heating drum, showing grooves and the position of belts in said grooves.

Figure 24 is a fragmentary plan View of a modified form of said heating drum, showing crossgrooves and cross-strips.

Figures 25 to 31 are diagrammatic views similar to Figures 15 to 21 respectively, illustrating the various changed positions in the operation of wrapping a rectangular or cylindrical object such as a box of face powder or jar of cosmetic material.

As already indicated, I prefer to use pliolm as the wrapping material. It is obtainable now in rolls or webs of sumciently great length to satisfy the needs of a continuous and high speed wrapping method such as described herein. The width of sheet used depends upon the size of the articles to be Wrapped and the number to be wrapped simultaneously, in a row, across the sheet. A variety of widths, up to 52inches is now available commercially,

The thickness of the material used will depend upon the weight, shape, size, and contour of the articles to be wrapped and also the extent to which it is desired to stretch the lm. Pliolm is now available in thicknesses ranging from As already indicated, my method and apparatus may. be used to wrap articles having a variety of shapes and sizes. For purpose of illustration, I have indicated herein how articles such as candy suckers may be wrapped. 'I'his type of article is one of the most diicult to wrap because ordinarily it has a handle protruding from the outer surface thereof for a distance of from 2 to 41/2 inches. Despite the diculty presented by such a handle, my invention enables a clean, smooth, and complete wrap to be made. The wrapping material is twisted tightly about the handle at a point adjacent the candy piece and, because of the thermoplastic character of the Pliofilm, the wrapper is substantially sealed. This, of course, is one of the objects of my invention and is a decided advantage in wrapping food articles, reducing air and moisture 'leakage I have also illustrated in Figures 25 to 31 how my invention may be used to wrap articles which 4 e have no handle or long protrusion. In such case the sealing of the package is more easily and completely accomplished.

Of course it should be understood that in the case of articles having handles, such as candy suckers, the entire article, candy and handle, may be wrapped and vsealed by my method. A slight adjustment of the apparatus is necessary in order to provide deeper pockets in the wrapping material sheet.

Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus isv supported by frame I, inverted 'U-shaped support members 2, angle-irons 3 mounted on members I and 2 and running horizontally for the entire length of the machine. It is upon said angleirons. 3 that many of the principal moving parts of the machine are fastened.-

A roll of Pliofllm 4 (Figure 1) is mounted in the usual manner onshaft 5 which is free to rotate in half-bearings 6 which rest upon and are bolted to angle-irons 3. 'Ihe im sheet-1 is drawn from roll 4 by means of wringer rolls I5 and I6 mounted, respectively, on shafts I1 and I8 rotating in block bearings I9 and 20, both of these bearings being mounted on vertical bolts 2| and secured to angle-irons 3. On shaft I8 of lower wringer roll I6 (Figure 4) is mounted sprocket 23 which serves to drive this shaft by transmitting power in the following manner. Chain 22 is Wrapped part way around sprocket |55 (Figure 8). This sprocket is rigidly fastened to ratchet wheel |54 and these are free to rotate on shaft |23. Ratchet wheel |54 is actuated by pawl |53 on the end of arm |52 which also rotates freely about shaft |23. Pawl |53 is moved by the action of cam |41 rigidly mountedto collar arm lawhich in turn is adjustably fastened to collar arm |59 by means of bolt |60. Collar arm |59 is rigidly mounted on shaft |33. The timing of this cam may thus be changed somewhat by rotating one of these arms with respect to the position of the other. Ca'm |41 raises and lowers cam wheel |48 on the end of arm |49 which is pivotally mounted on shaft |31 and it thus gives movement to horizontal arm '|50 which in turn moves vertical arm I5| and arm |52 already mentioned. Spring |56, attached to frame at one end by means of collar |51 and to the lower portion of arm |49 at the other end, serves to hold cam roller |48 in contact with the surface of cam |41.. Cam |41 is rotated by shaft |33 (Figure 11) which is driven by sprocket |32, this sprocket being propelled by roller chain |3| which derives its power from sprocket |30 on `main countershaft |23. Countershaft |23 is driven by sprocket |25 through chain |26 (Figure 6) from an electric motor or other suitable source of power not shown. Countershaft |23 is mounted in suitable bearings I 24 (Figure 1) on main frame base I. It is thus seen that one complete revolution of shaft |33 (Figure 8) will 'cause sprocket |55 to rotate any predetermined amount and this will be transmitted through chain 22 to sprocket 23 (Figure 4) and this will rotate shaft I8 and lower wringer roll I6. At the other end of this shaft I8 is fixedly mounted thereon spur gear 24 (Figure 6) and directly above this gear and meshing therewith is another spur gear 25 with the identical number of teeth xedly mounted on upper wringer roll shaft I'I. It is evident that in this manner bothwringer rolls I5 and I6 are driven with the same peripheral speed and will draw the iilm 1 (Figure 2) uniformly from supply roll 4.

Near the delivery end of the machine I have a more or less similar construction of rollers which serve to draw lm 1 from the first set of rollers just mentioned. The upper rollers 26 (Figures '1 and 12) are loosely mounted on shaft 28 which shaft is held in block 3| mountedv on vertical bolts 32 attached to angle-iron frame 3. The lower roller 21 (Figure 12) of this set is rigidly mounted on shaft I4 which rotates in block 30 fastened to pins 32 and supported by angle-iron frame 3. On one end of shaft I4 (Figure 4) is sprocket 29. This sprocket is caused to rotate by chain 22 in a manner similar to the description previously given for wringer roll I6. It is apparent that these sets of rollers serve to draw film 1 from supply roll 4, drawing said film 1 through the various parts of theapparatus as will be described hereinafter.

After lm 1 has been drawn from roll 4 (Figure l) by means of wringer rolls |5 and I8 as above described, and has been moved forward through the machine by wringer rolls 26 and 21, iilm 1 is drawn over hot plates or grids 34 (Figure 12) These hot plates are held against the heating manifold 33 by screws 35. Manifold 33 is held in position by extension plates 36 which are supported on angle-iron frames 3 by stud bolts 31. Hot liquid or steam 39 is conducted to manifold 33 through pipe 38 which leads to a suitable source of hot liquid or steam not shown. Hot plates 34 may be of any desired shape and size. In Figure 7 they are shown as being circular in shape and between these plates there are gaps which it may be found desirable to cool with a blast of air. A method of doing this is indicated in Figure 1 where air is conducted from a suitable fan by means of pipe |04 which leads to manifold 98 from which air is drawn by nozzles 99 and pipe 'I'he air from nozzles 99 is used to cool the working parts of the machine, if desired, and air from pipe IDI is conducted to manifold |02 from which small nozzles |03 conduct the air to the gaps between individual hot plates 34. Air baille |91, of impervious material, prevents this cold air from striking film 1 (Figure 1). Air manifold 98 is supported from main frame 3 by means of vertical bracket |00.

It is evident from the above statement that lm 1 will rest upon hot plates 34 for a predetermined length of time, dependent upon the speed of the machine and the shape of the cams involved. The time interval allowed for the film to rest on hot plates 34 is sufllcient to render said film 1 thermoplastic and in this state the film is next drawn to a position underneath plunger tubes 40 (Figure 4). Directly below tubes 40 is cast iron block 45 (Figure 5). Block 45 is fastened to angle-iron frame 3 by stud bolts 46. From the point of being attached toframe 3 at 46, cylinder block 45 has two arm-shaped members 41 which support or carry cylinders 48. At the top of arms 41 is fastened bed-plate 14 (Figure by means of screws 11 (Figure 7). In bedplate 14 is a groove 15 cut completely around the length and width of the plate. Bed-plate 14 also has in it circular openings 16 (Figure '1) which are suflciently large to permit tubes 40 together with stretched iilm 1 to enter (Figure 16), as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Directly above lower 4bed-plate 14 is a corresponding upper clamp plate 18 (Figure 3) which also is of rectangular shape and it has a tcontacting edge 19 (Figure 2) adapted to cooperate with groove 15 (Figure 3) to firmly hold film 1. Upper clamp plate 18 is movable vertically whereas lower bed-plate 14 is immovable. The movement 6 of upper clamp plate 18 is produced in the following manner. Plate 18 is fastened to slidably mounted blocks 8| (Figure 5) by lmeans of bolts 80. Sliding blocks 8| are mounted on vertical shafts 82 and are raised by the upward movement of rods 85, the upper ends of which are lifted by casting 4| to which they are held by lock nuts 86. Clamp plate 18 ls lowered into clamping position by the downward movement of casting 4| which slides down on shaft 82 until it compresses springs 84 against the upper surface of blocks 8|. This operation clamps Pliofllm sheet A1 in position for .succeeding operations about to be described. Plunger tubes 48 are rigidly held in casting 4| (Figure 12) by set-screws 43 (Figure 5). The top of casting 4| includes funnel-shaped openings 42 into which the articles |28, to b e wrapped, are dropped. Clamp screws 44 (Figure 3) at each end of casting 4| are` for the purpose of allowing this casting to compensate for diferent sizes of tubes 40, as it maybe found desirable to use.

With Pliolm sheet 1 rigidly held in position, tubes 40 are lowered by the downward movement of casting 4| this action being caused by connecting arms |39 (Figure 5) which are held to casting' 4I by extension bracket |42 at the upper end of connecting arms |3|A and pivot bolts |4| hold bracket |42 to casting 4I, .the connecting arms |39 being actuated by the eccentric arms |38 on shaft |31 through bolts |40. Shaft |31 (Figure 4) is oscillated by means of arm |36 on the end of which is cam roller |35 held against cam |34 by spring |44 on rigid arm |43, rod |45, and ring |46 ona. crossfrod of main frame Cam |34 (Figure 4) is rigidly mounted on shaft |33 which ,is rotated by sprocket |32 (Figure 2) on the end of shaft |33, this sprock being driven in turn from main countershaft |23 through sprocket |30 and connecting chain |3| (Figure 11).

Immediately prior to tubes 40 reaching the bottom of their stroke (Figures 13 and 16), the opening in the bottom of each tube 49 (Figure 13) is closed by vacuum plate |1| and a partial vacuum is created in each tube 49 of suflcient strength to hold the stretched Pliolm in its distended position while plunger tube 40 rlecedesl roller |11 which is mounted in U-shaped member n |16 onthe lower end of arm |18, thus moving lever arm |19 upward and causing shaft |12 to rotate in a clockwise direction. lVacuum manifold |10 is fastened to hollow arm |69 which is rigidly mounted on Ishaft |12 so that this entire assembly rotates in a clockwise manner when-arm |18 is raised.

On vacuum manifold |10, plate- |1| is fastened and a rubber gasket |14 is suitably glued thereto. Openings |13 (Figure 12) are made in gasket |14 in su'ch positions that they will match the openings in the bottom of tubes 49 when the vacuum pivotal assembly is in closing position as illus trated in Figure 13. Air is withdrawn from tubes 49 by means of a vacuum pump, not shown, but from which pipe |65 (Figure 2) leads to pipe |66,

thence to flexible hose |61, and then directly to vacuum manifold |68 (Figure l2). There are no valves in this vacuum line so that it will be apparent that no partial vacuum is created by the pump until the vacuum assembly engages the bottom of tubes 49, at which time a partial vacuum is quickly created. This partial vacuum will hold the distended Pliofllm 1 substantially in its lowermost position until the next operation takes place, which is the seizing of articles |28 by what I call article holders, now to be described. It is assumed. of course, that articles |28 have been deposited in funnel-shaped openings 42 (Figure 12) of tubes 40 at sometime during the downward stroke of tubes 40 or no later than immediately prior to the operation of the article holders.

Article holders 60 (Figure 12) are tapered metal castings the inside walls of which are covered with loose rubber or other flexible, impervious sleeves 6|. Sleeves 6| are folded back over the top of tapered holders 60 and fastened on the outside walls thereof by wire rings 66 which t into annular grooves, not shown, cut around the outside circumference of holders 60. Sleeves 6| are similarly fastened at the bottom of holders 60 by being folded around the lower ends of said holders and held by wire rings 66 in additional annular grooves not shown. In this manner an air-tight compartment is formed between each sleeve 6| and the inner wall of each holder 60. Air is either forced to each such compartment or withdrawn from it by duct 64 which connects at one end with annular groove 65 around the in side circumference of holder 60. The other end of each duct 64 leads to pipe nipple 62 screwed into holder 60 and extending downward a sufficient distance to enable a rubber hose 63 or other suitable fitting to be attached thereto. Each hose 63 is connected to an additional pipe nipple 59 the function of which will be described later.

Article holders 60 are held in position by means of projections or shoulders 10 which are bored to fit over vertical pins 68 and are xed thereto by set-screws 1| (Figure 12). Holders 60 are supported by hubs or collars 52. Hubs 52 are rigidly fastened to vertical tubes 49 by means of setscrews 54. Between hubs 52 and main cylinder block 48 there are interposed washers 53 which are used as spacers or thrust bearings. Vertical pins 68, already mentioned are fastened rigidly into projections 61 of hubs 52 by set-screws 69. Pipe nipples 59 are screwed into these same projections 61 (Figure 12) and lead to angular ducts 58 bored through hubs 52 and connecting with annular groove 51 cut around the periphery of the upper portion of tubes 49. Duct 56 is bored in the wall of each tube 49 and there may be one or more of such ducts which lead from annular groove 51 downwardly to annular groove 55 (Figure 12) which is also cut in the periphery of tube 49. This second annular groove 55 matches with an opening in the wall of tube 49 into which pipe nipple 50 is fastened. Air may thus be forced into or withdrawn from each article holder 60 by means of various passages and ducts thus described even though the entire tube 49, base 52 and article holder 60 are all in rapid rotation.

Air is compressed in each article holder compartment at certain predetermined intervals and withdrawn at other intervals in a manner now to be described. Pipe nipple 50 (Figure 12) is connected to pipe |64 which leads to a three-way valve |62 (Figure l), from which pipe |65 leads to the above mentioned vacuum pump, and pipe |63 leads to an air compressor not shown. It is thus evident that either compressed air or a reduced air pressure may be directed to article holders 60 by simply rotating the handle of three-way valve |62 through an angle of approximately 90 degrees. This is done mechanically by means'of an electric solenoid valve |86 (Figure 1). When the electric current is turned off valve |62 is connected to the vacuum pump so that the air compartment in each article holder 60 is. in its normal position, contracted. Compressed air is forced into this chamber by the -action of cam |89 (Figure 1) on the end of rotating shaft |33, which cam serves to lift or tilt mercury switch |88 (Figure 6), thus making electric contact and causing solenoid |86 to draw solenoid tongue |81 upwards, thus opening the port in three-Way valve |62 that leads from compressed air in pipe |63 to pipe |64 and simultaneously cutting off vacuum pump line |65 from pipe |64.

As soon as cam |89 lowers mercury switch |88 to its original position the electric current is shut off and three-way valve |62 returns, by the action of a spring not shown, to its normal position of being connected with the vacuum supply as heretofore described. 'I'hus it is seen that article holders 60 may be contracted or expanded at precise predetermined times. At the proper instant when tubes 40 have been raised sufficiently to clear article holders 60, compressed air is applied and rubber sleeves 6| of article holders 60 are expanded in such manner as to seize articles |28, as `shown in Figures 14, 19, and 20. This seizing, of course, is uniform about substantially the entire surface of articles |28, the amount of applied pressure being varied to an accurate degree by control of the air pressure used. This may be accomplished by a regulating Valve in the compressed air line or by any other customary method and is not shown or described herein.

The next step is to twist articles |28 and Pliolm sheet 1 that surrounds them. This is accomplished by twisting or turning article holders 60 in the following manner. The entire article holders 60 (Figure 14) including their bases or hubs 52 and tubes 49, are rotated by means of gears 12 rigidly fastened to said tubes. Spacers or thrust washers13 separate rotatable tubes 49 from the fixed part of cylinder casting 48 (Figure 14) Gears 12 form a train of gears as shown in Figures 5 and 10, the end one of which |05 transmits power from shaft |06 on which it is pinned.

Shaft |06 is mounted in bearing |01 (Figure 5) and carries one-half of a jaw clutch |08 at its lower end. Directly beneath this half of jaw clutch |08 is the engaging part or the other half of this clutch |09 which revolves at all times in the following manner. Shaft |23 (Figure 3) derives its power to rotate as lhereinbefore described. On shaft |23 is mounted sprocket |22 (Figures 3 and 6) which turns shaft ||6 (Figure 3) by means of chain |2| and sprocket |20 (Figure 11). Shaft ||6 (Figure 1) on which sprocket |20 is mounted, is housed in bearings ||3 and these bearings are formed in a casting for the purpose of constituting a right-angle drive. To accomplish this, bevel gear ||5 (Figure l1) mounted on shaft ||6 (Figure 1) meshes with and turns bevel gear I4 (Figure 3) on the lower end of vertical shaft I0. Shaft ||0 is housed in bearing ||2 which is also a part of casting ||3 which forms a part of the right-angle drive. Thus it is seen that the rotation of` horizontal shaft ||6 is converted into rotation of vertical shaft |I0 whenever jaw clutch |09 engages its mate |08.

Lower jaw clutch |09 is slidably mounted, but is nevertheless keyed on to vertical shaft |0 and its vertical movement along this shaft is controlled by means of a yoke or fork on the end of cam arm ||1 (Figure 3) functioning in groove I of the hub portion of jaw clutch |09. Cam arm ||1 is fulcrumed around post ||8 (Figure 1) which post is held in bracket ||9 fastened to frame and is actuated by cam roller |29,(F'igure 3) rolling in box-cam |21 mounted on rotating shaft |83. As box-cam |21 causes lever arm H1 to rise, it lifts the lower half of jaw clutch |09 into engagement with the teeth of jaw clutch |08, causing the same to turn. This revolves shaft |86 as long as the jaw clutch teeth are so engaged. In this way gear (Figure-l0) and the train of gears 12 are turned. The turning of said gears causes tubes 49 and article holders B0 to be rotated. Thus, as shown in Figure 14, the partially wrapped articles are caused to turn or twist any predetermined amount and ordinarily this would be until the lm 1 across the top of articles |28 has closed in on itself and sealed itself to the desired extent and tightness. If an object such as candy sucker with a stick or a cord protruding from the top thereof is being wrapped then film 1 will wind and constrict itself tightly around said stick or cord until a substantial seal has been made. Rotating tubes 49 may be lubricated by use of ordinary Alemite fittings 5| (Figure 14). Articles |28 and the sheet film `1 now have the appearance as shown in Figure I9. At this point cut-off wires |96 function to cut the wrapped articles |28 from the excess film. This severing operation is performed as follows. Insulating tubes 88 (Figure 22) have at their lower ends, rings of wire |96 which, when subjected to the proper electric potential will become heated without detriment to themselves. Insulating tubes 88 are clamped in position between angle-rons 81 (Figure 4) and fixed thereto by screws 89 (Figures 4 and 5). Angle-irons 81 are fastened at their ends to U-shaped members 90 (Figure 5) by screws 9| (Figure 12). ushaped members 90 are firmly held on the endsof rods 92 the upperfends of which rods are connected to the tongues of solenoids 93 by bolts pipe 38 (pump and motor not shown).

(Figure 4) is kept tight by means of idler 'sprocketl 91. Bolts 96 on the upper ends of rods 92 (Figure 5) strike against the upper ends of compression springs 94. The 1ower ends of springs 94 rest against stationary arms 95 rigidly fastened to upright posts 82 seated in castings 45 by bolts 83. Arms 95 are bored out to allow rods 92 to move vertically without impediment.

When electric current is turned into solenoids 93 it causes the tongues thereof to descend rapidly against compression springs 94 causing insulating tubes 88 and wire rings |98 (Figure 22) to descend against the stretched film 1 (Figure 12) severing the surplus film completely and instantly from the lm on articles |28. The

l amount of heat used in wires |96 is controlled by rh'eostats in the usual manner. Electric current is fed to solenoids 93 by action of cam |9| (Figure 1) actuated by revolving shaft |33, raisingor tilting mercury switch |90 to allow the mercury therein to complete electric contact through said solenoids 93. As soon as film 1 has been severed in this manner the air pressure in article holders 60 is released and the pressure may be actually reduced below atmospheric pressure by connection with the vacuum pump as heretofore explained. In this manner flexible sleeves 6| are drawn tightly against the walls of article holders 60 and articles 28, now wrapped, are allowed to fall through tubes 49. At substantially the same time, vacuum gate valve |14 (Figure 12) is lowered away from the openings of tubes 49 and wrapped articles |28 fall from tubes 49 across chute |80 (Figure 4) held by brackets |8I to framev 'shaft |34 (Figure 3).

i() 2. on to delivery belt |82 driven by pulley |83 o n Shaft |84 is driven by sprocket |85 (Figure l0) from chain 22.

Surplus film 8 is drawn forward, as previously explained, until it'passes between wringer rolls 26 and 21, vfrom which point it is rewound on to a spool, not shown, on shaft 9 (Figure 7) mounted Qin bearings 0. Shaft 9 is rotated by pulley |I driven by leather belt i2 from smaller pulley |3 on lower lwri'nger roll shaft |4 (Figure l).

Electric switch 92 is for the main heating element in the oil line, not shown. Electric switch |93 is for the control of the secondary heating element in the oil line not shown.

Electric switch |94 is to control electric current to heat cut-ofi wires |96. Electric switch |95 is to control the motor pumping oil through Chain 22 An alternative method of heating and drawing the sheet nlm material through the machine is shown in Figures 22, 23, and 24. This method has been found to be eilcient and practical and is described as follows. Film l on roll 4 is drawn from said roll by wringer rollers |5 and l5 in a manner similar to that used in the method heretofore described. After film l leaves said wringer rollers |5 and I6 it passes around a snubbing roll 205 which is free to rotate in arm 206 adjustably mounted on angle-irons 3. From snubber roll 205 film is carried around a cylindrical heating drum |98 mounted on shaft |99 which is carried in bearings 200 bolted to frame 3. Chain 22 drives sprocket 207 on shaft |99. Oil which has been heated to a, suitable temperature in any conventional manner or, steam may be used to heat drum |99.

Grooves 203 (Figure 22, 23, and 24) are cut around the circumference of drum |98 and narrow belts 20| are carried in said grooves. Belts 20| are made of cotton fabric and serve to insulate this portion of iilm 1. In grooves 203 may be placed a layer of insulating material 208 as desired. Asbestos is preferable for this use. Narrow belts 20| pass around heating drum |98 as described and then pass between clamping plates 14 and 18, thence between wringer rolls 2 B and 21 and downward around idlers 202 (Figure 22). Belts 20| are actually propelled by contact with drum |98 and also rollers 26 and 21. Since film 1 rests on belts 20|' it is carried along or at least helped along by said belts. It should be noted that where lm 'l passes over grooves 203 and belts 20| it is less heated and therefore less thermoplastic, so that this portion of lm 1 is less stretchable and thus can itseltg be pulled through the apparatus by drum |98 and wringer rolls 26 and 21 more efficiently than would be the case if the entire surface of lm 'I were heated and were completely thermoplastic. It should also be noted that these strips of cooler film register exactly between plunger tubes 40 at the next station of the machine operation. This helps to keep the lm from being ruptured on the edges of cylinderopenings 16 (Figure 7) when the lm is stretched by tubes 40. One of the vadvantages of the cylindrical drum method of heating the film is that the film moves with the surface of the heating element rather than across such surface. Avoiding this friction, which is often extreme, between the film and the surface of the heating element reduces greatly the possibility of fracture of the film. Another advantage tothis method of heating is that the heated film is 

